German rail giant sends 200mph train into London on 'trial run' in bid to slash journey times to Europe
By Ray Massey
A 200-mph German bullet train has crossed the Channel and rolled into Britain today from the nation most renowned for making its railways run on time. The high-speed train from Deutsche Bahn was carrying out a slow-speed 'dry run' trial for a new direct cross-channel link between London's St Pancras station and Frankfurt in Germany, as well as Amsterdam in Holland, within three years. Experts say the competition could also mean lower fares with a one way trip to Germany costing as little as £39 to £49.
The high-speed Deutshe Bahn ICE3 InterCity Express train at St Pancas International station this morning on its trial run
A train guard by the train which Deutsche Bahn wants to prove it can run safely through the Channel Tunnel
The German 'Inter City Express' train bearing the initial letters 'ICE' adorned as a red, white and blue Union Flag, aims to replace passenger jets as the main transport to Germany's financial capital and the Rhineland from 2013.
Three services will run daily, and will also serve Brussels, Cologne and Rotterdam. The German company wants to run services direct between London and the continent three times a day.
Trains would leave London, travel to Brussels and then split. One half of the train would go on to Amsterdam via Rotterdam, with the other half travelling to Frankfurt via Cologne. The trains would be capable of travelling at 200mph.
It is the latest step in the plan to create high speed rail links across Britain and Europe - from Edinburgh to Madrid and Manchester to Marseilles.But while trains will hit 200mph on the Continent, tunnels on the UK side of the Channel mean high speed trains are restricted in many places to 140mph.
A passenger carriage inside the German train which arrived at St Pancras this morning
Inside the cockpit of the ICE - which is capable of hitting 200mph
The ICE train route from London will slash journey times to Frankfurt
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